Overview

• The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) now mandates online pharmacies to independently verify patient information, such as BMI, through video consultations, in-person assessments, or medical records.
• Weight-loss medications, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, have been classified as high-risk drugs requiring additional safeguards to prevent misuse.
• The updated rules prohibit prescribing based solely on online questionnaires or email exchanges and require two-way consultations with prescribers.
• Pharmacies must ensure no conflicts of interest, such as incentives for issuing prescriptions, and adhere to stricter advertising standards in collaboration with regulatory bodies.
• Enforcement measures for non-compliance include improvement plans, restrictions on medication supply, and potential suspension of pharmacy operations.